Work ethics – have we lost?
This year I watched KONNA flowers that blooms around 14th of April just in time for the festival in Kerala called VISHU, early this year from end February. And by mid March Konna flowers bloomed all over the place. I wondered then why? Why early enough and felt – may be this year’s summer arrived early. The Konna trees are not aware of “April 14th “, but the hot climate probably made the flowers to blossom. Things change!
Amidst this summer, we decided to carry on with left over repair work at home and bought a few items for bath-room walls, expensive though. We waited for more than three days for a plumber to turn up so that the items can be fixed on the walls. He came with a helper and tools with brands like Bosch and Mikita to drill up the walls. I watched his actions and the work that prolonged for the day.
It was exactly on the next day that the carpenter came in with his tool bag that comprised of a few old carpentry items and fixtures of a variety that was needed to fulfill his anticipated work for the day. This carpenter, in comparison to the plumber, who was just about 30 years of age was crossing 78 years. He knew APPU carpenter who used to work at my home when I was a school going child.
On the third day, fortunately late in the evening when temperatures were down with the sea breeze, I met one of the stalwarts from Calicut who built an empire of his own, another rag to riches story. He was telling his story of how he saw a future for him with a hope and a dream from the narrow lanes that still wind up the city; we call as Mavoor Road in Calicut.
I love passing through such lanes we call as “IDA VAZHI”, because one can still see some of those old Basel Mission made CTL tiles on the roofs of the old houses. That kind of a walk helps me reach destinations with the shade from coconut trees.
After such a walk on the fourth day, I sat relaxed to re-collect the experiences that I shared on the previous three days, including seeing konna flowers blossomed, indicating change in nature.
The guy with the Bosch drill and with an assistant did not take care with the new items I bought at a price and damaged the glass as the tray was fixed. He ignored and lost the tiny soft plastic granules as he un-packed. These had to sink in to the counter sunk screws that tightened up the sheet of glass in between. I had to insert thermocol- pieces so that glass will not crack as it gets tightened. He had the best of tools, but broke the brass screw as he hit it as it was inclined as he fixed. His assistant was a meager on-looker around his work place. He had to be paid for as well. While leaving he and his assistant left their hand marks and machine marks on the painted wall. The dust on the floor was not swept and cleaned as he accepted his wages. Both had their cell phones in use as they worked thus taking paid work time. He was in a hurry to move to another place to work, on his motor bike. In the process he fixed new expensive things in a bad taste.
The 78 year old carpenter without an assistant desisted me helping him to take out the 65 year old teak wooden box down 7 storey’s and managed it all alone. He sat on the small piece of wood he cut while he worked. The heat did not bother with his work. No complaints. As he worked he appreciated the carpenter who made that box. He observed that it was cut and made from a trunk of wood that was nearly 30” wide. The work was such; he said that today not many can make such a piece. The old man always measured, checked again, counter-checked a third time before he used his axe to cut the wood from which he made a nice looking book shelf, without loosing a single wood piece. I watched him sharpen his tools to ensure the edges dove-tailed wonderfully to form the new shape being made out of the 65 year old box to make a book shelf. He walked to buy a few nails of a smaller size and returned fast. No assistance called for. The beauty was re-carved in shaping the new thing out of the old. When done with the assigned job, I requested him to do a minor repair on the clothes shelf that he voluntarily completed with élan and a smile. He was happy to do his job, a kind of passion!
I loved the third evening spent with the legend who made history, all during a life span that I saw – here in Calicut, India - No, not the story of BIG BAZAR. Commencing from a KOOLIE job he built up an empire called “Soodersh” (name changed for obvious reasons). His empire included Hotels, Shipping, Funds, Real estates, Films and Factories that produced valuable goods. Looking humble, contented, not embarking upon the history of growth he sat, smiled and replicated some of the difficult times and the satisfaction of making things happen in those times. He was proud to say that from no where to beyond boundaries, he steered through by following dreams and imaginations. His gratitude for those who managed his business empire is tremendous. He thanked the astrologer who predicted growth at his tender age of 15 when he could not even pay Rs. 5 for his predictions. The astrologer advised him to meet him when his predictions came true to accept the payment. This legend did so on a fine day at the pinnacle of his glory and height and travelled to meet him – alas, he says the astrologer was not there to accept his small gift worth more than Rs.5/-. This legend continues to inspire people like me who could have the management training and education but cannot perceive a dream like him and chase it hard. Hard work, following hopes and dreams, says he – is the mantra of life.
As I sat, relaxed while the sun was setting I felt as the sun rise the next day, we need to have people like the 78 year old carpenter who can turn a magic to bring something new from an old artifact with precision work. Remembering the legend, I pray that aspirations and willingness in some minds of the youth of today can out-perform to make Indians proud.
Then the dark shadows on the bye-lanes of our villages will brighten up. Yellow Konna flowers will bring in hopes of realization on 14th April that days ahead are better than what we see around us at times.
